Another year ends. Another begins. Reflections on days gone by. Tomorrow’s resolutions. Looking forward. Peering back.

But do we take time to just be present in the here and now? We need to, because we just may be missing those moments where we learn from others which can inspire us and help us inspire others.

As I look back at the honor of serving Iowa’s Third Congressional District over the last four years, everyday Iowans doing extraordinary things, and demonstrating simple acts, have inspired me to work harder, be a better person, and try to inspire others.

I met a full-time farmer in his 60s from Adair County who showed humility in sharing he took a part-time job to make sure he could make the farm payments to ensure the fourth-generation family farm was able to be passed to his daughter. He sacrificed time away from family to ensure the farm survived. “It’s just what you gotta do,” he shared with me while fighting back emotion.

Let me tell you about a Clive couple I developed a friendship with who — despite numerous months of frustrations with bureaucratic obstacles — fought and persevered to adopt twin 13-year-old brothers from Columbia. This couple never gave up in giving these boys a loving home.

I know a woman from Atlantic who owns a bakery and coffee shop and committed to working it full-time to serve others while furthering her education to seek a degree in pastoral studies and counseling. Her love and compassion for all is impactful. And she makes some darn good cinnamon rolls.

There’s a young Waukee boy with cystic fibrosis whose parents are dogged with determination to make their son’s life — and anyone else with this genetic disorder — better through advocacy for research and a cure. Their determination inspired me to advocate for those with cystic fibrosis. Their son is a little pistol, too. He’s got more energy than an espresso-drinking puppy.

These inspirational scenarios are just the tip of the iceberg from moments I encountered with Iowans over the past four years as a Member of Congress. There are also encounters I had with veterans, nurses, former addicts, teachers, refugees, volunteers and so many other everyday Iowans from Mount Ayr to Glenwood and Panora to Hamburg.

Of course you don’t have to be a U.S. Representative to meet these and so many other inspiring Iowans. And of course I’m not the only one encountering inspiration in people I know or meet. They are everywhere. Neighbors. Family members. Strangers we pass. Co-workers.

Sacrifice. Humility. Perseverance. Forgiveness. Commitment. Compassion. Determination. Love. And so much more. It is all around us. And it needs to be better known. For those who inspire in simple ways with great impact — it is not worn on their sleeve, shown with pride, or advertised with a sense of hubris. Iowans just do it. It’s in our bones.

We just need to be still. And be present and aware about what’s happening right now around us. Listen. Watch. Notice it. You’ll see inspiration. Let’s make it contagious in 2019. And aspire to inspire. Thank you, Iowa, for inspiring me.

David Young of Van Meter was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014 and re-elected in 2016. His bid for a third term was unsuccessful.